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Ravensbourne and Crow’s Nest – ADVICE message current as at 10.30am

Multiple QFRS crews are at the scene and continue to respond to several large, slow-moving bushfires burning in the Ravensbourne National Park area near Ravensbourne and Crow’s Nest.
These fires were sparked as a result of lightning strikes in the area. There is no immediate threat to property at this time.

Captain’s Mountain (near Millmerran) – grass fire

Firefighters are currently on scene at a grass fire located near Captain’s Mountain Road, Captain’s Mountain. This fire is currently under control, however, firefighters will remain at the incident to monitor the blaze.

Grantham (Lockyer Valley) – grass fire

Five fire crews are at the scene of a large grass fire currently burning at Lockyer State Forest, Grantham. This fire broke out around 1pm on Sunday, (21 October). Fire crews are currently monitoring the fire. Backburning operations were completed yesterday, however, residents will continue to experience smoke in the area.
Motorists travelling along the Warrego Highway are asked to drive to conditions.

As at 11am, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) crews were in attendance at approximately 33 fires across the State.

Following on from the success of hospital goods auctions last year and earlier this year, the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation is set to conduct another major auction at Toowoomba Hospital Saturday 27th October 2012. Over 350 lots are on offer, with chairs, tables, dexion shelves, beds, cupboards, bedside lockers, stainless steel and many more items all to go under the hammer. Even a Kubota tractor and trailer will go out in the auction.

Toowoomba Hospital Foundation CEO, Peter Rookas, said this auction, like many before, would be another chock full of interesting items. As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. We’ve cleaned out a number of area’s in the Hospital so there is no shortage of interesting items going out for auction. We’ve got everything from the kitchen sink to stainless steel benches, stacks of chairs and trolleys. Electric recliner chairs will also be auctioned off. ”

All funds raised from the sale of the surplus, obsolete and slightly damaged hospital goods at the auction this Saturday will be used by the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation to purchase much needed equipment for the hospitals in the district, which will in turn benefit the community of Toowoomba and Darling Downs.

Mr Rookas said you always find things of interest at hospital goods auctions, no matter what you’re looking for. Inspection of the auction items commences at 8.00am with the auction timed to start at 9.00am. Entrance to the auction site is via the Toowoomba Hospital main entrance in Pechey Street and then follow the signs.

For further information, Peter Rookas, Toowoomba Hospital Foundation
Ph 4616 6166

With the Arrival of the SunSense UV Photobus

As summer approaches, temperatures warm up and UV rays become stronger, threatening more damage to your skin.  The SunSense UV Photobus will visit Towoomba to give local residents the opportunity to uncover their hidden UV damage.

One person every eight hours dies of skin cancer in Australia¹ and diagnosis of skin cancer occurs almost each and every minute of the day^2,3 – It’s statistics like this that prompted SunSense to launch this grassroots program in 2011.

The custom-built SunSense UV Photobus is run by a team of dedicated skincare consultants who use UV camera technology to assess each person’s skin for existing levels of underlying sun damage.  The completely free service will allow local Toowoomba residents to see firsthand just how their time in the sun has affected their skin, get practical SunSensibility advice and complimentary sunscreen to take away.

Each skin analysis also involves the calculation of a unique SunSensibility score (ranked out of a possible 100 for each individual) produced after assessment of the UV image which highlights existing sun spots, pigmentation, freckles and moles. This SunSensibility score will not only help people track their new skin protection options year-on-year but also provide some interesting data to help us all better understand our nation’s sun habits and where we can be improving to help ensure healthier skin for life.

The UV Photobus will be located  at Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre, Warrego Highway, Toowoomba on Thursday 25^th October from 9am – 5pm.

For more information on SunSense products, the SunSense UV Photobus and how to get involved, visit www.sunsense.com.au

The 6th Annual Celtic Festival of Queensland, will be held in the main street of Helidon, on Sunday 28th October. This is a FREE event running  from 9am to 3pm.
The Celtic Festival will begin at 9 a.m. with a Parade, led by the Lockyer Valley Celtic Pipe Band and the Toowoomba Caledonian Pipe Band. They will be followed by The Chief of the Clan Sheridan, Sean Sheridan and his wife Nora, and other Celtic dignitaries from Glen Innes.

There will be live music, dance displays, and Celtic memorabilia. This year we will feature a special guest appearance by Singer/Songwriter Norma O’Hara Murphy.

For updates go to Facebook (Celtic Festival of Qld.) or phone 0403 434 623

Submitted by:
Robyn FanningTabletop Junior Art & Craft Club Inc.

Sunday the 21st of October is a day to celebrate bush verse at the Highfields Pioneer Village. The Village is holding it’s annual Bush Poets’ Breakfast from 7:30 to 9:30am. The 2012 Breakfast will feature entertainment by renowned poet Gary Fogarty, and poets from amateurs to professionals reciting their own poems.  Join in the fun and enter the Budding Poet Competition – prize money of $50 on offer!

Gary is a cheeky, quick-witted and fiercely proud Australian who writes from the heart and tells it exactly as he sees it. No glossy covers here, he’s the genuine article, a boy from the bush who makes no excuses for the fact that he derives his inspiration from the humour, the strength, the ingenuity and the spirit of the many characters he has encountered in a life time spent living and working in rural Australia. What you see is what you get.  This uniquely talented performer is equally at home delivering his energy packed shows to appreciative crowds at the Gympie Muster, as he is to addressing company directors at a high flying corporate conference.

Come and enjoy a full cooked breakfast and entertainment for just $15.00, Children $7.50.
Tickets are available at:
Rhonda’s Refits, Toowoomba: 4637 8933. credit cards accepted.
Highfields Pioneer Village, Highfields: 4696 6309. cash/chq/m.order/ credit cards
Chapman Entertainment Centre, Crows Nest: 4698 2815

Afterwards, Gary Fogarty will run a poetry writing workshop.

The Poets’ Breakfast will raise money for the local Guides and Scout Association and the Highfields Pioneer Village. The Village is open from 10:00am to 4:00pm. The Highfields Pioneer Village is a non-profit organisation run by a dedicated band of volunteers working to preserve the history of the Darling Downs for future generations. The Village is open daily and is just 15 minutes drive from Toowoomba, in Wirraglen Rd Highfields.

Submitted by:
Jody Ashford
Treasurer
Highfields Pioneer Village, Museum and Park Inc.
E: highfieldspioneervillage@hotmail.com